Five Teachers Surprised As Superintendent Molly Spearman Announces State Teacher Of The Year Finalists

SUMTER, SC (WOLO)– State Superintendent Molly Spearman is making her rounds surprising five teachers with $10 thousand dollars. The cash is not bad, but there is a lot more. A big bouquet of Balloons, flowers, and a big old check was walking the halls of Mayewood Middle School

“You can tell he’s changing lives here in the middle of Sumter County,” Spearman said. Zachariah Lowe is the second teacher to be announced as a finalist. The first teacher surprised by Spearman was Susan Snyder of Northwestern High School in Rock Hill. Spearman said these five teachers selected are all special, all in their own way.

“But I think it’s something in about the spark, and maybe in the way they’re able to tell their story. Because up till this point they’ve been judged on what’s on paper,” Spearman said.

Lowe said he is honored to be selected. The 6th and 8th-grade social studies teacher admited he was doing the math trying to figure out how long it would take for Spearman to go from Rock Hill to Sumter.

“Very very surprised, but very very excited for what kind of opportunities this brings,” Lowe said. Spearman says this is a great opportunity to celebrate all that the state teachers do for South Carolina students. From city to rural areas, she acknowledges they all have a tough job, but said they are great at it.

“My main focus as a teacher is trying to make sure that our kids are equipped to be leaders of the future,” Lowe said. Only one teacher from the 82 School District Teachers of the Year will be selected as the state teacher of the year. With that comes another big check, a brand new BMW, and a leave of absence to be a teacher ambassador and encourage others to go into teaching.